I grew up outside of Boston and still remember how much my father loved to take us to the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. I have to admit I have since developed very mixed feelings about zoos - even though I understand their role in conservation and education, I fear that so many of the animals confined in zoos suffer, especially those confined to small cages in old institutions. Despite these

Is what you're feeding your dog delivering toxic doses of flouride and putting your pet at risk?An independent lab study of 10 dog food brands commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that eight out of ten of them contained levels of flouride up to two and a half times higher than the standard set by the EPA for drinking water, highlighting the need for more stringent

This Wednesday, approximately 450 dogs were seized during raids in seven states. Animal welfare groups call this the largest simultaneous raid of dogfighting operations in U.S. history. Each rescued dog will be evaluated in hopes of placing as many as possible in adoptive homes.Animal welfare advocates worked with federal authorities for 18 months on this seizure. So far, 26 people have been

Zoos across the nation are encouraging people to come visit this holiday weekend, to celebrate Independence Day by gawking at imprisoned stressed-out animals in unnatural climates and inadequate enclosures. That zoo officials and the media can promote zoos as the place to be this weekend and even promote specific Independence Day-themed events at some zoos is a prime example of the way our

A couple weeks ago, someone at the Kansas zoo left her cage door open. So naturally, but apparently timidly, she walked out of it.The lion traced the fence to the edge of the zoo's timber wolf exhibit, became frightened, and ran back toward the grizzly bears. Eventually she crouched in some bushes next to the bobcat exhibit.Cargill said the cat was never more than 150 feet from her own enclosure.

All dogs may go to heaven, but it’s a sure bet that only the ones who walk calmly on a leash get to go to many places here on Earth. It’s natural for dogs to pull, says San Diego dog trainer Liz Palika, but this can be dangerous for both pet and owner: “Pulling on the leash can injure the dog, hurting his neck, shoulder, front legs, and more.” And people have suffered broken bones and strained

As you leave your home to go to a July Fourth fireworks celebration, leave your dog at home. Some dogs get so disoriented and afraid when they hear the loud noises of the fireworks going off, they pull their leashes away from their owners and run away, sometimes ending up at an animal shelter.If you do go to some Independence Day evening festivities, try and leave your dog in a room or space they

As the country dons its red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day, nothing says patriotism like a good old-fashioned barbecue with a side of fireworks. But beware pet parents, what’s fun for people can be a downright drag for our furry friends. The ASPCA recommends keeping your pooch indoors as much as possible during backyard parties and Fourth of July festivities, even if he is a pro

Although PetSmart does not sell dogs or cats because so many of them are euthanized in shelters every year—and the company stopped selling large exotic birds three years ago for ethical reasons—the pet store chain still sells smaller birds, reptiles, hamsters, rats, chinchillas, and other animals. Most of these animals come from deplorable breeding mills, similar to puppy mills, and are treated

Animals simply do not belong in entertainment. Rodeos and other animal acts are not only cruel to animals, they are dangerous for the human participants and onlookers. This past Sunday, a 12-year-old boy died after a bull stomped on him during the Little Britches Rodeo in Longmont, Colorado. Richard Wayde Hamar was riding a bull when he fell to the ground. The bull continued to flail and crushed

I recently received an e-mail about a new book that aims to bring attention to the subject of 'hare coursing', a vicious blood-sport whose innocent-sounding name belies the horrific nature of the activity. "Hare coursing consists of terrorizing hares (better known as Jack Rabbits in North America) by setting trained and 'blooded*' greyhounds in pursuit of them in a large, wired-off enclosure… The